"Not certain? How can you dare?"
"He says so himself."
"Then he's out of his mind," said Mrs. Magill, calmly.
"He was," replied Mrs. Douce.
"I won't converse with you," said Mrs. Magill.
"Then please order your man not to bring in those things."
But Mrs. Magill refusing, "I will tell him," announced Mrs. Douce, stepping out to do so.
Mrs. Magill, with great presence of mind, instantly shut the spring-lock door and began to walk up-stairs. There was a furious rattling at the door-handle, from the outside, followed by violent ringing. But no one came to open, until the widow had gained the first landing. Mrs. Douce, being admitted at last, swiftly mounted after her. It was a fearful chase; but there was no way of heading off the intruder now.
They went up another flight. But Mrs. Douce over-reached her opponent by calling out, in a loud voice: "You can't see him, Mrs. Magill! Mrs. Magill! Mrs. Magill!"
Immediately after this they heard the lock working in Barrington's door. The major was safe in his intrenchments.